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Hair Removal Alternative Smoothing Things Over, Permanently

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – We all show a little more skin during the summer months. And that keeps salons that specialize in hair removal pretty busy during this time of year.

But those treatments can be painful or expensive. Now, there’s a new, permanent way to remove unwanted hair.

Shaving and waxing are only temporary. Electrolysis is painful. And some people have been burned by laser treatments for hair removal.

But Julianna Pabst, the owner of Julianna and Dane Salon and Spa in Dallas, says Depilar is “a great alternative that’s safe and there is no risk of being burnt.”

The treatment has been used for years in Europe but is relatively new in the U.S.

The Depilar system uses a two-part enzyme which reduces hair growth by 20% with each treatment. And Pabst says it is effective on all hair types.

Pabst says the process begins by cleansing the skin, then hard French wax is used to remove the hair. Once the hair is pulled out of the follicle, the enzyme is worked in while the follicle is still open and it destroys the papilla.

Dermatologists agree that it sounds good in theory. Dr. Patricia Wexler, a Cosmetic Dermatological Surgeon, says “There is viability to this treatment. You have an open, empty follicle and so your putting something in the follicle and hoping to destroy that follicle.” But she warns, “With anything new, you want to make sure that it’s good for your skin type.”

Julianna’s client Cecilia Coggeshall started growing coarse, grey hair on her chin after menopause. She says her Depilar treatments are going well and that so far, unlike other hair removal options, she’s had no reaction.

Cecilia has had four treatments and has about eight more to go before the hair on her chin is completely gone.

Pabst says the Depilar treatments cost three to four times more than the price of normal waxing. But the results are permanent.